Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Obesity and weight control
Weight Status Underestimation and Weight Management Goals among Adults in the Rural South of the United States
Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Analyzes weight status, underestimation, and management goals among residents in rural South Carolina. Analyzes survey data among 185 respondents according to accuracy of weight reporting, weight loss/management goals, and related demographic factors. Discusses accuracy of weight perceptions among residents and the impact on weight management in the rural South.
Author(s): Haakim A. Waraich, Michael D. Wirth, Serge Wandji, Janessa M. Graves, Demetrius A. Abshire
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 41(2)
Date: 10/2025
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Study Team Perspectives on a Multisite Randomized Clinical Trial with Underserved Rural Populations: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Analysis
Surveys clinical trial study staff on barriers and facilitators of conducting the iAmHealthy Intervention, a mobile health-based clinical trial focused on addressing obesity among rural families and children. Discusses participant recruitment, engagement, and retention, best practices for communicating study procedures and expectations, experiences working with rural populations, and more.
Author(s): Kristina L. Foster, Sarah Sanders, Christi A. Madden, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333229
Date: 09/2025
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Surveys clinical trial study staff on barriers and facilitators of conducting the iAmHealthy Intervention, a mobile health-based clinical trial focused on addressing obesity among rural families and children. Discusses participant recruitment, engagement, and retention, best practices for communicating study procedures and expectations, experiences working with rural populations, and more.
Author(s): Kristina L. Foster, Sarah Sanders, Christi A. Madden, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(9), e0333229
Date: 09/2025
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U.S. Rural Obesity Rates Exceeded Urban Obesity Rates From 2019 to 2024
Bar chart comparing rural and urban adult obesity rates between 2019 and 2024.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Bar chart comparing rural and urban adult obesity rates between 2019 and 2024.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Fast Facts: Rates of Chronic Conditions Consistently Higher Among Adults in Rural Areas
Compares the prevalence of chronic health conditions and associated risk factors in rural and urban areas, utilizing 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Includes data on health conditions including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and depression, among others. Includes state-by-state rural health data for select conditions.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: America's Health Rankings
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Compares the prevalence of chronic health conditions and associated risk factors in rural and urban areas, utilizing 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. Includes data on health conditions including obesity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and depression, among others. Includes state-by-state rural health data for select conditions.
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: America's Health Rankings
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Diabetes in Pennsylvania: Prevention and Maintenance Programs
Present data and describes government and non-government programs working to help people prevent and manage diabetes in Pennsylvania. Includes information about possible new treatments and summaries of other new research on diabetes including the effects of social determinants of health. Mentions special needs of rural and underserved populations.
Author(s): Allison Kobzowicz, Lydia K. Ring, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Present data and describes government and non-government programs working to help people prevent and manage diabetes in Pennsylvania. Includes information about possible new treatments and summaries of other new research on diabetes including the effects of social determinants of health. Mentions special needs of rural and underserved populations.
Author(s): Allison Kobzowicz, Lydia K. Ring, Wendy L. Baker
Date: 09/2025
Sponsoring organization: Joint State Government Commission, General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
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Combined Prevalence of Chronic Conditions or Obesity for Adults in 2022
Examines the combined prevalence of obesity and chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, among others, by demographic group, utilizing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component data. See Figure 6 for a comparison of prevalence between metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs.
Author(s): Zhengyi Fang, Rebecca Ahrnsbrak
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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Examines the combined prevalence of obesity and chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure, cancer, and diabetes, among others, by demographic group, utilizing Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component data. See Figure 6 for a comparison of prevalence between metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and non-MSAs.
Author(s): Zhengyi Fang, Rebecca Ahrnsbrak
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
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U.S. Obesity Rate Changes Differ for Rural and Urban Areas, as Well as Across Regions
Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Reports on rural versus urban and regional differences in obesity prevalence among U.S. adults between 2019 and 2024. Identifies changes in obesity prevalence over time and discusses the geographic factors influencing obesity prevalence.
Author(s): Mariah Ehmke, Brandon J. Restrepo
Citation: Amber Waves
Date: 08/2025
Sponsoring organization: USDA Economic Research Service
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Cost-Effectiveness of the Rural Lifestyle Eating and Activity Program (Rural LEAP)
Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Analyzes the cost-effectiveness of telephone-based coaching sessions after participation in a weight loss intervention, utilizing data from a trial conducted from 2013-2018 in rural Florida counties. Discusses the importance of delivering cost-effective treatment for obesity in rural areas.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Murray J. Côté, Meena N. Shankar, et al.
Citation: PLoS One, 20(7), e0326383
Date: 07/2025
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Family Weight Management in Rural U.S. Communities: A Mixed Methods Study of Parent and Child Perspectives
Examines interest in behavioral health programming to treat childhood obesity, utilizing focus group excerpts and survey data from 33 parents and 15 children in rural Southern counties. Highlights concerns, suggestions, and desired outcomes for program implementation.
Author(s): Alyssa Button, Denise Holston, Jamila Freightman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2089
Date: 06/2025
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Examines interest in behavioral health programming to treat childhood obesity, utilizing focus group excerpts and survey data from 33 parents and 15 children in rural Southern counties. Highlights concerns, suggestions, and desired outcomes for program implementation.
Author(s): Alyssa Button, Denise Holston, Jamila Freightman, et al.
Citation: BMC Public Health, 25, 2089
Date: 06/2025
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Relevance and Acceptability of a Technology-Delivered Childhood Obesity Intervention for Hispanic/Latino Families in Rural Nebraska: A Qualitative Approach
Examines program strengths and challenges, implementation concerns, and cultural relevance of Hispanic Family Connections, a Spanish-language childhood obesity intervention for Latino families in rural Nebraska, via focus group interviews with 26 participants.
Author(s): Thais F. Alves, Natalia Santos, Camila Squarcini, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 05/2025
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Examines program strengths and challenges, implementation concerns, and cultural relevance of Hispanic Family Connections, a Spanish-language childhood obesity intervention for Latino families in rural Nebraska, via focus group interviews with 26 participants.
Author(s): Thais F. Alves, Natalia Santos, Camila Squarcini, et al.
Citation: Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 16
Date: 05/2025
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